Should welfare recipients face drug tests? Michigan House says yes, under some circumstances

LANSING, MI - A proposal that would require some Michigan welfare applicants and recipients to pass drug tests to get benefits is advancing in the Republican-led state Legislature.

The House approved legislation calling for suspicion-based drug testing by a 71-37 vote Thursday. The measure advances to the Senate.

The debate over whether to require welfare applicants to take drug tests has been raging in several states this year. The Michigan plan would affect those applying for cash assistance programs, but not food assistance programs. It would start as a pilot program and could be expanded to all counties by 2015.

The bill would require the Michigan Department of Human Services to establish a program of suspicion-based substance abuse screening and testing for Family Independence Program applicants and recipients.

If the screening gives the department a reasonable suspicion to believe the applicant or recipient has been using illegal drugs, a test would be required. Failing the test or refusing to take it would make an applicant or recipient ineligible for the benefits. A person denied benefits could reapply to the program after a certain period.

Supporters of the bill said that job applicants often are required to pass drug tests as a condition of employment. They said it’s reasonable to expect that those receiving some forms of government assistance should face similar requirements.

“Hard-earned tax dollars should be used efficiently,” said Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica. “There are limited resources that we’re all aware of. And those resources should go to those in the highest need.”

Democrats opposing the bill said it could unfairly hurt children whose parents use drugs.

Rep. Fred Durhal Jr., D-Detroit, said “there are babies connected to these parents” and that entire families should not be penalized because of the actions of a parent.

Republicans said that children are hurt if their parents are using scarce resources to buy drugs instead of necessities. Supporters of the bill said there are other resources that would continue to support families, and that the measure could help prompt illegal drug users to kick the habit.

Some Democrats said the bill would put state employees in a difficult position because they aren’t properly trained to handle the requirements of the program.

Democrats offered amendments that would have called for state lawmakers to submit to drug tests under the same standards as welfare recipients, but those proposals did not advance.